The Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has faulted the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) for allegedly misinterpreting the recent court order on the enforcement of tinted glass permits by the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Kelvin Adegbenga, and issued on October 6, 2025, the group said its attention was drawn to reports quoting the CDHR as claiming that the court had suspended the enforcement of the tinted glass permit nationwide.

According to the Integrity Youth Alliance, this claim is misleading and not supported by the actual content of the court’s pronouncement. The group clarified that the court, in its ruling, specifically Point 8, categorically stated that “Reliefs 1, 2, and 3 are hereby refused.”

The refused reliefs, the statement noted, included the applicant’s prayers seeking to restrain the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the new tinted glass permit policy scheduled to begin on October 6, 2025, as well as from stopping or arresting motorists and collecting renewal fees for tinted glass permits.

“The refusal of these reliefs clearly shows that the Police are not barred from implementing or enforcing the tinted glass permit policy,” the statement read. “Therefore, the CDHR’s position is both misleading and capable of creating unnecessary confusion and distrust in the public domain.”

The group emphasised that while it upholds respect for the judiciary and human rights advocacy, such advocacy must be based on truth and not misrepresentation of legal facts. It added that the Nigeria Police Force, under Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020, is legally empowered to prevent and detect crime, preserve law and order, protect life and property, and enforce all laws and regulations.

The Alliance described as “reckless and mischievous” the CDHR’s assertion that enforcing the tinted glass permit could trigger unrest similar to the #EndSARS protests, warning that such statements could incite public sentiment against lawful authority.

The Integrity Youth Alliance urged the public to disregard misleading interpretations of the court ruling and continue to cooperate with the police in maintaining security and public safety. It also called on civil society organisations to engage constructively and ensure that their advocacy strengthens rather than undermines public confidence in law enforcement.

…… Recovers Firearms and Illicit Drugs

The Delta State Police Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs in Asaba and its environs, resulting in the arrest of suspected armed robbers, cultists, and drug traffickers, as well as the recovery of firearms and illicit substances.

According to a press release signed by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Edafe Bright, the coordinated operations were executed through intelligence-led deployments by operatives of ‘B’ Division Asaba, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and the Eagle Net Special Squad (ENSS).

Arrest of Suspected Armed Robber and Cultist

On October 1, 2025, operatives from ‘B’ Division Asaba, led by DPO CSP Edewor Akponegware, responded swiftly to a distress call regarding a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was reportedly robbed at gunpoint. Acting on intelligence and in collaboration with local vigilantes, the team arrested one suspect, Amara Nwako (male, 21), an indigene of Oko, while his accomplice escaped into an uncompleted building.

A locally made pistol was recovered at the scene. Preliminary investigations indicate that Nwako is a member of the Arobaga secret cult. The suspect remains in custody as efforts continue to apprehend his fleeing accomplice.

Eagle Net Special Squad Intercepts Illicit Drugs
In another development, on October 2, 2025, operatives of the Eagle Net Special Squad (ENSS), led by SP Danyaya Yunusa, in collaboration with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking, intercepted a truck with registration number 3BGT 18LG.
The vehicle, driven by Dennis Uruma (male, 52) from Igalamela LGA, Kogi State, was found to be transporting large quantities of suspected illicit drugs. The driver was immediately arrested, and the exhibits are currently being quantified for further investigation.

RRS Arrests Three Suspected Armed Robbers, Recovers Fabricated Beretta Pistol
Similarly, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout near the Basket Market area of Asaba. The operation led to the arrest of three suspects: Rabbi Godwin (25), Lucky Nanakumo (20), and David Igwe (19).
A fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from the scene. The suspects are currently in custody as investigations intensify to apprehend other gang members and recover more weapons.

CP Abaniwonda Reaffirms Commitment to Crime-Free Delta

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the efforts of the operatives and reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery, and drug trafficking. He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could aid the Police in sustaining their recent successes.

He further assured that the Command would continue to strengthen collaboration with relevant agencies and community stakeholders to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegal arms, and disrupt drug distribution channels across the state.

…….Uncovers 20.5kg cocaine in walls of cups, body cream, hair gel containers; destroys 24,897kg skunk in Edo, Osun forests

In series of intelligence led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers, leading to the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode who parades as a businessman and real estate developer.

According to a press release on Sunday 5th October 2025, signed by the NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafem, the beginning of the end of the criminal syndicate’s operations began on 16th September 2025 when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms concealed in walls of cocoa butter body cream containers. A cargo agent was promptly arrested. Further investigations revealed Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode as the mastermind of the shipment, and after weeks of intelligence, it was established that the drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, after which the Agency sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.

During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer following his return from the United Kingdom in 2024. He had lived for over 27 years in many European countries, including Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, before settling in the UK.

In like manner, five other desperate attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also thwarted by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA. The unravelling of the gang started on 26th September, following the seizure of 2.10kg of cocaine concealed in the walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

The apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday 30th September at his 3 Arowojobe street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base where another consignment of 1.40kg cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him. Same day, another consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with similar mode of concealment also going to the UK was also intercepted at the export shed of the airport. The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine also identified Smith David Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect.

Two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday 2nd October. Two suspects: Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa linked to the seizures were promptly arrested. One of the consignments contains crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg cocaine while the second consignment also contains crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine.

The bid by another criminal gang to smuggle into Lagos 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in bedsheet and hibiscus flower from Thailand was equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies, while a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a check point along Danbatta-Daura road, Kano, on Thursday 2nd October led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and seizure of 290, 450 pills of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.

In Lagos, a notorious drug dealer John Igbe, operating under the nickname: SammyBless to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki and Ajah axis, was on Tuesday 30th September arrested at Admiralty road, Lekki. At the time of his arrest, 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in retail plastic cups, were recovered from him. Three other suspects: Idris Lukman; Fuad Abdulsalam and Mobolaji James were nabbed same day in Mushin area of the state, with 109kg skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup and 2kg of nitrous oxide seized from them. At the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba area of the state, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac were recovered.

While a total of 27,700 pills of tramadol 100mg/225mg were seized from a suspect Salisu Abubakar, 25, at Bode Saadu, Morro LGA, Kwara state on Monday 29th September, Blessing Ovaka, 50, was caught with 498.5kg skunk at Kudandan, Chukun LGA, Kaduna, same day, just as Dahiru Salisu, 27, was arrested in possession of 34,180 capsules of tramadol at Gwargwaje along Kaduna – Zaria road on Thursday 2nd October.

In Ogun state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 29th September raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, where a suspect, Abubakar Audu, was arrested with 112kg skunk and 16grams of tramadol. Three suspects: Chuimieze Shedrack, 28; Sunday John, 25, and Solomon Okopko, 27, were nabbed by NDLEA officers on Thursday 2nd October at Owena/Ijesha forest reserve, Osun state where they destroyed 14,000kg skunk on 5.6 hectares of cannabis plantation and recovered 142kg of same psychoactive substance.
In Edo, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 1st October intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KUJ 47 NW loaded with 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5kg at Igbanke, Orhionwon LGA and a suspect Ineh Excellent Obindi, 28, arrested. A total of 10,897.35kg skunk was destroyed on four farms measuring 4.358938 hectares at Ugbodo forest, Ovia North East LGA, on Friday 3rd October, with two suspects: Michael Ayang, 40, and Bernard New Year, (a.ka Don), 47, arrested. Not less than 223.5kg processed cannabis and seeds were recovered from the farms.

Operatives on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway intercepted a waybill parcel coming from Lagos to Abuja containing 3.272kg Loud and a sachet of Colorado. A follow up operation at Gwagwalada park in Abuja led to the arrest of the owner, Tobi Odubote, 34, while another suspect Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was arrested in possession of 25.5kg skunk along Abaji- Abuja expressway on Thursday 2nd October.

In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Hammawa Toungo, Adamawa; Government Day Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina; Day Secondary School, Unguwan Nasarawa, Kontogora, Niger; and traders at Ladega market Ikorodu, Lagos, while the Imo state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the State First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma at Government House, Owerri, among others.

“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations; from the mules to the dealers in between and up to their leadership. These successful operations should serve as a warning that NDLEA will not relent until the threat posed by the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is eliminated because every arrest, seizure and assets forfeited by the criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected either here in Nigeria or in other jurisdictions”, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated while commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Kogi and FCT Commands as well as their compatriots across the country for their tenacity, professionalism and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.